1 82 POULTRY CULTURE 



and fuel value applies as well to comparisons of rations contain- 

 ing a variety of foods, both with other rations and with single ar- 

 ticles of food. For this purpose any article or ration may be taken 

 as the standard with which others are compared ; but it is most 

 fitting that the ration or article selected be, if a ration, a complete, 

 well-balanced ration, and if an article, that food article which in 

 itself is nearest to a complete ration. For a comparative study of 

 foods and food values it is advisable to use a single article rather 

 than a ration compounded of a variety of articles differing widely 

 in physical as well as in chemical properties. Such a single stand- 

 ard presents to the eye and mind of the feeder a tangible and 

 simple standard with which to compare all other articles and com- 

 binations of articles used as food. The use of a standard of this 

 sort has the added advantage that it compels consideration of the 

 physical as well as of the chemical properties of foods. 



The food article which best meets the requirements for a single 

 standard food for poultry is wheat. 



